After coming off an impeccable 1-0 victory against Juventus, Roma have failed to maintain their fine run of form as they were stunned with a 4-3 defeat by Dionisi’s Sassuolo side in a seven-goal thriller at the Stadio Olimpico within match-week 26 of the Serie A.
With Inter dropping points after a dreadful 2-1 defeat to Spezia, as well as Lazio being held to a stalemate against Bologna, the Giallorossi had a major opportunity to move on level terms with the Nerazzurri and slot into a top-four spot. However, the matchup under the lights of the Stadio Olimpico played out far from many capital club supporters have hoped.
Poor defensive structure and organization enabled Sassuolo to constantly drive forward through the middle on the counter with such ease. It was Armand Lauriente who breached the Roma back-line in the the 13th minute of play as he scored from point-blank range as he was left completely unmarked in the box, allowing him to tuck in a rebound from Andrea Pinamonti’s strike far too easily.
The Frenchman found the back of the net five minutes later to make it a brace for himself as Italian international Domenico Berardi displayed magnificent individual skill to move past his marker and dispatch a marvellous low-driven cross, causing Roma to find themselves in a very uncomfortable situation as they have not conceded a single goal on Roman soil since the start of 2023.
Although Nicola Zalewski buried a magnificent one-touch volley followed by a great delivery from Leonardo Spinazzola to make it 2-1, the momentum gained from the goal was quickly evaporated as central defender Marash Kumbulla’s emotions boiled over as he purposely kicked Domenico Beradi within his box.
The Albanian defender was sent off and handed the Nerroverdi a penalty, leaving his side in such a chaotic position going into the second half. Berardi stepped up to the occasion and converted from the spot to make it 3-1 going into the break.
Within the second half, Roma shuffled their playing deck as they brought on Paulo Dybala and Rick Karsdorp in exchange for Edorado Bove and Spinazzola. The Argentine immediately left his mark on the fixture after shortly coming onto the pitch as he scored a stunning screamer into the top corner from outside the box following a layoff from Stephan El Shaarawy to restore their one goal deficit.
However, Dybala’s brilliance was far from enough to obtain an equalizer, Lauriente split the defensive line while on the counter to find Pinamonti on the break. The promising Italian striker lifted the ball just enough above Rui Patricio to guide it into the low-corner and make it 4-2 for his side.
With Roma enduring a 4-3 defeat to Dionisi’s high flying side as they have now stringed three consecutive victories, Mouirnho’s side find themselves in grave danger as they remain in fifth, while Milan have a game in hand as they are set to face Salernitana tomorrow evening.
Julian Faustini Ι GIFN
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